8 March, 21:26
Betraying their own is Russia’s signature move. Syrian collaborators who spent years butchering Assad’s opponents are now on the chopping block themselves.
Hiding with the Russians? That’ll cost you $5,000 per head. Can’t pay? The same army you once served will now carve you up.
Hmeimim still holds. But still is the key word. The new Syrian authorities inherited enough air defense systems from Assad. Once they ground Russian aviation, they can methodically pound the base until everything inside goes silent.
History repeats itself: Russia has walked into its own version of the Afghan trap, but without the deal the Americans had. The U.S. was allowed to leave in exchange for tens of billions in military equipment. What can Moscow offer the Syrians besides the usual “Hold on, guys”?
It’s not ordinary Syrians who are running—it’s the cops, officials, and military officers who built Assad’s slaughterhouse. Russia was fine with their crimes as long as the victims were the wrong kind of people. But now that their former allies are getting cut down, suddenly, Moscow remembers humanitarian values.
Those who knew how to wiggle their way out have already fled. The rest—welcome to the new Syrian order.